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Real talk: I’ve tried to write this post hundred

Real talk: I’ve tried to write this post hundreds of times.
In short: 2024 Me doesn’t recognize 2022 Me.
In Jan 2022, my life came crashing down.
Nine days into what would be a 16-week recovery from Covid, I was unceremoniously let go from a job I loved. No explanation, no recourse. Just a severance letter and a dismissal. All those mornings waking up at 5 am and finishing my day at 8 pm suddenly felt pretty stupid.
I had sent my firstborn to college earlier that fall and losing my job while riddled with Covid was the straw that broke the camel’s back.
My body was broken, my spirit was in shambles. And my professional life was unrecognizable.
I suddenly had a lot of time on my hands for self reflection.
How had I gotten here?
How had I let a toxic boss steal my thunder and rock my confidence down to zero?
How had I given so much of myself to those around me and yet so little to me?
Why had my body betrayed me so viciously? I had never been so sick in my life.
They say the definition of insanity is doing the same things over again and expecting different results, right?
And so I made a few hard rules for myself.
Boundaries, they call them, I hear.
I set lines in the sand that I refused to cross ever again.
Before #5to9before9to5 was a trend on TikTok, I started putting me first before my workday started.
A savored cup of coffee, an hour with my latest book, a solid workout, and a healthy breakfast before I sat down for my job search, and eventually, my new job, became sacred.
In the early morning hours I used to devote to a mega corporation, I now devoted time into developing Me, Corp™️.
And the return on investment has more than paid for itself.
The first pic is of me a few days ago on vacation in the same place as the second pic and the difference is all over my face.
The second woman was exhausted, dejected, and beaten down. She could barely smile despite the palm trees and beach at her feet.
The first woman is smiling knowing that she’s found a work balance that she’s not willing to compromise and she’s found forgiveness for that toxic boss.
And more importantly, for herself.
#jobloss #midlifewomen #midlifecrisis #givegrace #bekindtoyourself

Seriously, just call us GenNoH2O. We were dehydrat

Seriously, just call us GenNoH2O. We were dehydrated and dressed in neon colors. What a time to be alive. #80s #80schildhood #generationx #GenX #keeperofthefruitloops

Same couple. Same location. 19 years apart. The y

Same couple.
Same location.
19 years apart.

The young couple in the grainy photo taken before smartphones even existed had only been married 5 years. They had one child and were learning hard lessons about first-time homeownership. They were adorable, right?

Oh, if they only knew.

The now-older couple in the iPhone selfie taken 19 years later have two kids, busy careers, and a dog who basically runs the show. And a lot more grey hair. #SoMuchGrey

We’ve been through the loss of two parents, a major career pivot, multiple job changes, the launch of two teens into adulthood, and staggering vet bills for the aforementioned Dog In Charge™️.

Through it all, there’s no one I’d rather have fling me across a cruise ship dance floor or to binge watch shows with, even when we can’t keep our eyes open.

He has seen me on my bullshit pretty much since the day we met and he keeps me on my toes with his whirlwind attitude toward life’s adventures.
When we went out to celebrate this weekend, our server asked us what our secret was. I looked her straight in the eye and told her there’s no one else who will put up with my nonsense. She laughed, but I wasn’t joking.

“Honestly, I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to date someone if something happens to you. It’s going to be a lot of work to rein in my bullshit. That will be exhausting.” —Jon, this weekend.

He’s not wrong.

We are on our bullshit and headed into our silver anniversary.

This is 24 years of marriage, folks.
#BurkesOnTheirBullshit #marriage #anniversary #marriedlife💍 #marriedlifebelike #oldmarriedcouple #septemberwedding #septemberanniversary

This post is inspired by an actual convo at a grad

This post is inspired by an actual convo at a graduation party this weekend. For the record: Pretty sure I’d pick potty training because poor aim is a much easier disaster in the bathroom than on the road, amiright? Thank you for participating in this very important poll. #lifewithteens #parentingteens #momofteenagers #momoftweensandteens #keeperofthefruitloops #pottytraining #toddlersofinstagram #toddlerlife

“Hi, Mrs. Burke. Have you ever considered puttin

“Hi, Mrs. Burke. Have you ever considered putting your daughter on a track team?”
Those were the words her gym teacher said to me when she was in kindergarten. He was also the coach for the high school cross country team.
“Your girl is a runner. Get her on a team,” he said.
And so we did.
We enrolled her in a church youth league where she ran track events until she was able to join her middle school team.
When she hit high school, her kindergarten gym teacher was waiting for her.
“You ready to train?” he asked.
And she took off from there, ponytail always flying behind her.
Every race, he’s on the sidelines, yelling encouragement, words he knows she needs to hear.
There’s a hug for a race well raced and a “I expect more next week” when they both know she could have done more.
Today was her last race as a junior.
We are heading into senior year and we will start the long sports parenting goodbye after 13 years of watching her run.
Here’s to the gym teachers who see hidden potential on the kindergarten playground.
Here’s to the art teachers who encourage the talent that will make the world beautiful.
To the bus drivers who faithfully and safely care for our kids on the roads.
To the lunch ladies who ladle a little extra for the kids who need it most.
To the school nurses who bandage and heal even the smallest of knees.
To the music teachers who endure the screeches that eventually become harmony.
Here’s to those who cheer kids from the sidelines and show up day after day, year after year.
The world could use more of you.
#sportsparenting #trackandfield #crosscountry #highschoolsports #coaching #trackcoaching #keeperofthefruitloops #motherhoodunplugged

Do you have a favorite parking space or are you no

Do you have a favorite parking space or are you normal? #lifeatfortysomething #fortysomething #momhumor #motherhoodunplugged #groceryshoppinghumor #groceryshopping #parentinghumor #humor #keeperofthefruitloops

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